Strategies for Building a Diverse and Inclusive Workforce

This assignment discusses the strategies and initiatives that companies, like Next Plc, implement to build a diverse and inclusive workforce. It includes aims, objectives, project management plan, research methods, and recommendations. The importance of workplace equality and diversity is also explored.

Managing a Successful
Business Project

Contents
TOPIC..............................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Project aims and objectives...................................................................................................1
P2.Development of a project management plan..........................................................................2
P3. Produce work breakdown structure and Gantt chart to provide timeframes.........................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P4. Carry out small research by applying different research methods........................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
P5. Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques.......................................7
P6. Appropriate recommendations as a result of research information.......................................9
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
P7. Reflection on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives.....................9
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

TOPIC
What types of strategies and initiatives do companies put in place to build a diverse and
inclusive workforce?
INTRODUCTION
Equality and diversity are two concepts that are effective for the growth and development of a
company. Diversity refers to demographic differences of a unit often at group or organisational
extent. Diversity provides protection in term of age, disability, gender, race, religion and many
more at the workplace of a company (Axinte, Petrică and Barbu, 2017). Whereas equality
mentions to the similarities in term of rights, pay and growth options that are offered by a
company to its employees. This assignment is based on Next Plc which is British multinational
clothing, footwear and home products retail company and operate its business globally. This
assignment will discuss about aims, objectives and project development plan by considering
different aspects of it. Further, will explain about different research methods that are used to
carry forward an investigation. Recommendations as a outcome of the research and reflection on
the value of undertaking will also explain in this written document.
TASK 1
P1. Project aims and objectives
Overview of the company- Next Plc is a British transnational company that offer clothing,
footwear and home appliances to its customer with the help of retail service. This firm was
incorporated in 1864 by Joseph Hepworth. This organisation is headquartered in Leicestershire,
UK and operating its business globally with the help of it 700 stores in different nations of the
world.
Research Aim
“To determine the strategies and initiatives that company do in context of building a
diverse and inclusive workforce. A case study on Next Plc.”
Research objectives
 To understand the concept of workplace equality and diversity.
 To analyse the strategies and initiatives that are considered by Next Plc to build diverse
and inclusive workplace.
 To determine the importance of building diverse and inclusive workplace.
1

Research questions
 What is the conception of workplace equality and diversity?
 What are the strategies that are devised by the management of Next plc to build diverse
and inclusive workplace?
 What are the importance of diversity and inclusive workplace in reference to the business
of Next plc?
P2.Development of a project management plan
Project management plan
It mentions to a process and activity that is executed and developed by the surveyor and
research to accomplish the research objectives. This plan is developed by the research by
consisting different aspect that are crucial for the completion of the research (Cha, Newman and
Winch, 2018). The explanation of different aspects of project development plan is defined as
under:
Cost- It mention to the monetary value that is required to implement and executed the
activities of a company. The management of Next Plc required £1000 to perform research
activities in context of research aim. Whereas the investigator is needed £400 so that the
individual can effectively perform its research and data collection activities.
Scope- The scope of this research project is to gain an understanding about initiative
taken by Next Plc towards the effect on inclusion of diversity and equality at workplace. This
report has wide scope because it will help the researcher in future during the time of working this
kind of investigation project.
Time- It indicates to the duration that is consumed to perform a particular activity and
actions. In context of this investigation project, the surveyor required approx 4 weeks time frame
to complete the research report in effective manner.
Quality- It is the effectiveness and efficiency of anything which make it valuable and
accurate. Here, it mention to the quality of the research project so in context of it, the investigator
collect accurate and reliable information which is help in improving the quality of the project.
Communication- It indicates to the ways through which interaction can be formed. To
gather information the researcher will use effective communication tools like, mobile phone,
chat-box, message, email and many more. So that required and essential data and information
2

can be transfer to the team members who make their contribution in accomplishing the research
objectives.
Risk- It states to that threats that faced by researcher during the time of working in the
project. One of the main researches that is considered in this research is technical and operational
that affect the success and progress of the project. Apart from it lack of fund and finance can be
arise a risk in this investigation report.
Resources- In mention to that origins and assists that are required to the investigator for
completion of the research (Defusco and et. al., 2017).There are number of resources like fund,
time, equipments, Laptop, mobile phones, internet and many other are required to surveyor to
complete this project in set time duration.
P3. Produce work breakdown structure and Gantt chart to provide timeframes
Gantt Chart- It refers to the visual communication of activities along with the timeframe
that is being organised for the accomplishment of the research aims. The chart presents initials
and completion time of activities of the research in effective manner. The horizontal axis of this
chart explains the time frame whereas vertical axis represents the task is required to carry
forward. By implementing this tool, the investigator can make development before completion of
the project report.
3

Work Breakdown Structure- it is a technique and tool that will be utilised by an individual to
execute investigation in effective way(Englund and Graham, 2019). This structure is define as
the major components of the research project and task that is crucial in organising and managing
different actions of the project in amended manner. This tool can be represent in term of
4

hierarchical three that will direct to segregation of project task in small section so that they can
be complete by teammate in proper way or in set time duration.
TASK 2
P4. Carry out small research by applying different research methods
Research method
It refers to that investigation tools and techniques that are used by the research in a
research project term of gathering information and data for the effective completion o the project
report (Halibozek and Kovacich, 2017). The description of different research methodologies are
as under:
Qualitative research- In this method the data is in theoretical form that is gathered by the
surveyor to accomplish the research outcomes in proper way. It is primary explanatory
investigation that is used to understand of underlying reasons, suggestions and empowerment.
The methods that are used to carry out qualitative research includes observation, group
discussion, interviews etc.
Quantitative research- It is completed in systematic manner with the tools and
techniques of statistical, graphical representation, computer, mathematical and many more. This
kind of research consists in survey that required numerical data to the subject of research. By
using this research tool, the information is gathered through questionnaires, survey, online
survey, interview, mail etc.
In this research report the investigator will use qualitative method to gather information
because it is crucial to theoretical and detailed information which help in effective completion of
the project in efficacious manner.
Data collection methods
There are two kinds of information gathering sources and the description of them as
under:
Primary source- It mention as the collection of that information which is collated by the
researcher itself (Islam, 2019). By using this data collection tool, the research can gather
firsthand and pure information by using different tools such as survey, questionnaire, interview,
online survey, group discussion, observation etc.
5

Secondary source- it mention to that tools and techniques that help in gathering that information
which already available and accessible (Liubyma, 2017). By using this information gathering
tool, the surveyor gathers information that is accessible. For this the person can use different
sources like books, journals, internet, company websites, articles, journals, magazines,
newspapers and many more.
Form the above mentions information, the researcher will use both primary and
secondary tool of data collection so that effective information and data can be gather. It will help
in completing the research project in crucial way by fulfilling the needs of its objective.
Sampling- It indicates to monitor the statistical action that is connected to the population. This
tool helps in selection of the sample of a small size from a wide group of people. In current
research project, the researcher select sample of 30 people, from the employees of Next Plc, by
using simple random sampling tool.
Questionnaire- It is a written report that includes a number of question with the purpose of
collecting information and data from number of people. It is an essential technique as with the
assistance of it, investigator can make direct communication with the people and gather
appropriate information.
Questionnaire
Q1. Do you have information about the concept of equality and diversity at workplace?
(a) Yes
(b) No
Q2. What are the strategies that and initiations that are put to build diverse and
inclusiveness at the workplace of Nest Plc?
(a) Monitoring programs
(b) Transparency in pay
(c) Promoting female entrepreneurs
Q3. What are the importance of diversity and inclusive workplace in reference to the
business of Next plc?
(a) Develop employee relation
(b) Improve personnel involvement
(c) Enhance productivity
Q4. Why it is important to create diverse and inclusive workplace in Next Plc?
6

(a) Fairer opportunities
(b)Maximisation in staff morale
(c)Recruiting best talent
Q5. Are you support the fact that maximising equality and diversity also have some
favourable impact over the operation of Next Plc?
(a) Yes
(b) No
Q6. What are the challenges that are faced by management of Next plc during imposing
equality and diversity at workplace?
(a) Lack of employee engagement
(b) Employee Turnover
Q7.Provide suggestions to deal with the challenges of imposing equality and diversity at
workplace.
TASK 3
P5. Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques
Theme 1: concept of equality and diversity at workplace
Q1. Do you have information about the concept of equality
and diversity at workplace?
Frequency
(a) Yes 17
(b) No 13
Interpretation-It has been concluded form this graph that among the population of 30
individual, 17 people are viewed that they are aware with the concept of equality and diversity.
7

Whereas reaming 13 individuals responded that they have not information about the conception
of equality and diversity.
Theme 2: the strategies that and initiations that are put to build diverse and inclusiveness
at the workplace
Q2. What are the strategies that and initiations that are put
to build diverse and inclusiveness at the workplace of Nest
Plc?
Frequency
(a) Monitoring programs 12
(b) Transparency in pay 10
(c) Promoting female entrepreneurs 8
Interpretation-as per preceding explain data, it can be summarised that between the sample size
of 30 individual, 12 are supported that monitoring program is and effective plan of action that
help in building diverse and inclusive workplace in respective firm. Whereas remaining 10
viewed regarding transparency in pay and 8 responded to promoting female entrepreneur is an
effective strategy that help in building an inclusive and diverse working environment.
Theme 3:
Q3. What are the importance of diversity and inclusive
workplace in reference to the business of Next plc?
Frequency
(a) Develop employee relation 10
(b) Improve personnel involvement 11
(c) Enhance productivity 9
8

Interpretation- From the above visual communication, it can be summarised that among the
population of 30 person, it has been summarised that 10 are supported to develop employee
relation is the main importance of diverse and inclusive workplace. Whereas remaining 11
people agreed with improve personal relation and 9 responded towards enhance productivity is
the major importance of diverse and inclusive working environment.
Theme 4: Importance to create diverse and inclusive workplace
Q4. Why it is important to create diverse and inclusive
workplace in Next Plc?
Frequency
(a) Fairer opportunities 13
(b)Maximisation in staff morale 7
(c)Recruiting best talent 10
Interpretation- Among the population of 30 individual, it has been summarised firm visual
communication that 13 supported to fairer opportunities to create diverse workplace. Whereas
remaining 7b agreed with development in staff morale and left over responded regarding
recruiting best talent is important to create inclusive working environment.
Theme 5: Fact that maximising equality and diversity
9

Q5. Are you support the fact that maximising equality and
diversity also have some favourable impact over the operation
of Next Plc?
Frequency
(a) Yes 14
(b) No 16
Interpretation- From this graph, it has been summarised that between the population of 30
people, 14 are replied that increasing equality and diversity also have some positive impact over
the operations of company. Whereas remaining 16 are viewed that maximising equality and
diverseness do not devise favourable impact over the firm.
Theme 6: the challenges that are faced by management during imposing equality and
diversity
Q6. What are the challenges that are faced by management of
Next plc during imposing equality and diversity at workplace?
Frequency
(a) Lack of employee engagement 18
(b) Employee Turnover 12
10

Interpretation- As per determining the respective visual communication, it can be analysed that
among the sample of 30 individual, 18 people are replied that lack of employee involvement is
the main issue that is arising during imposing diversity and equality at workplace. Whereas
remaining 12 are supported to employee turnover is the main problem that is arise due to impose
diversity and inclusiveness in working environment.
Q7.Provide suggestions to deal with the challenges of imposing equality and diversity at
workplace.
Interpretation- As per the suggestions that are offered by selected individual of Next Plc, it as
been summarised that the issues that are reduced in the working environment if the company
frame effective plans and polices and effectively implement them. By providing equal treatment
to all employees it also minimise the challenges that are occurred due to imposing diversity and
inclusiveness at workplace.
P6. Appropriate recommendations as a result of research information
Suggestions that can be provided to management of Next Plc in context of Challenges that
is faced by it during imposing diversity and equality at workplace are mentioned as under:
In Next Plc the problem of gender pay gap occur in working environment and to overcome this
issue the recommendations are defined as under:
 The management of the company should devised effective plans and polices that are
crucial for administrating employees and reducing the issues that are occurred due to
diversity and inclusive workplace.
 Apart from it, the management of the respective firm should conduct training and
development sessions to provide training its employees so that they feel motivated and
encouraged and perform their work in effective manner.
TASK 4
P7. Reflection on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives
At the time of working in this project, i used my all skills and knowledge which help
performing my work in more crucial manner or accomplish the objective of the research project.
With the help of WBS tool i segregate my work in small sections and set time duration so that i
can complete it on time. Apart from it, i make development in my different skills like
communication, I gather information by using questionnaire as data collection tool so when i
11

collect data i meet different people who belong from different nations and use different
languages and gain information about their culture. Due to completing my work timely i also
make improvement in my time management skill (Pandya, 2017). By using appropriate research
methods and data collection method i gather reliable information which help in maintaining the
quality of the project.
CONCLUSION
This has been concluded from the above information that diversity and equality play and
effective role in the development of the workplace of a company as well as growth of the firm.
Due to have a diverse and inclusive workplace, innovation in the company which help in
development of the firm. WBS and Gantt are effective tool which play an effective role in
completion of the report in appropriate manner. By following the effective framework and
considering different strategies and techniques, the management of a company can devise an
effective workplace.
12

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Axinte, S.D., Petrică, G. and Barbu, I.D., 2017, June. Managing a software development project
complying with prince2 standard. In 2017 9th International Conference on Electronics,
Computers and Artificial Intelligence (ECAI) (pp. 1-6). IEEE.
Cha, J., Newman, M. and Winch, G., 2018. Revisiting the project management knowledge
framework. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business.
Defusco, S.A. and et. al., 2017. System and method for managing projects. U.S. Patent
Application 15/671,777.
Englund, R. and Graham, R.J., 2019. Creating an environment for successful projects. Berrett-
Koehler Publishers.
Halibozek, E. and Kovacich, G.L., 2017. The manager's handbook for corporate security:
establishing and managing a successful assets protection program. Butterworth-
Heinemann.
Islam, R., 2019. Managing outsourcing and shared services projects in accounting and finance
sector (Doctoral dissertation, University of Salford).
Lei, H. and et. al., 2017. A statistical analysis of the effects of Scrum and Kanban on software
development projects. Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing. 43. pp.59-67.
Martinsuo, M. and Hoverfält, P., 2018. Change program management: Toward a capability for
managing value-oriented, integrated multi-project change in its context. International
Journal of Project Management. 36(1). pp.134-146.
Morozov, V., Kalnichenko, O. and Liubyma, I., 2017, July. Managing projects configuration in
development distributed information systems. In 2017 2nd International Conference on
Advanced Information and Communication Technologies (AICT) (pp. 154-157). IEEE.
Nicholas, J.M. and Steyn, H., 2017. Project management for engineering, business and
technology. Taylor & Francis.
Pandya, P., 2017. Managing complex R&D projects-strategies from project management
perspectives. Chronicles of Pharma-ceutical Science. 1. pp.114-117.
Polonsky, M.J. and Waller, D.S., 2018. Designing and managing a research project: A business
student's guide. Sage publications.
Vanhaverbeke, W., 2017. Managing open innovation in SMEs. Cambridge University Press.
Winter, M. and Szczepanek, T., 2017. Images of projects. Routledge.
13

APPENDIX I
Template for evidence collection to be attached with the report by the learner:
Project Logbook for the chosen organisation:
Name of the learner: Name of the Supervisor:
Project Title: Date:
Update of weekly research/ tasks achieved (Account
for a minimum of six weeks with dates)
 What have you completed?
 Did you fulfil Task requirements?
 Are you on track and within deadlines set?
 Did you need to make any changes to your
project management plan?
Comments
I completed my research on the topic of
“To determine the strategies and
initiatives that company do in context of
building a diverse and inclusive
workforce. A case study on Next Plc.”
Yes
Yes
No
Any risks and / or issues identified?
 Did you identify risks/issues with a lack of
skills required for undertaking research
tasks? Did you identify any additional risks/issues
that have an impact on the project
management plan?
Yes, I have undergone with various
difficulties in terms of finance and time
limit.
No
Problems encountered
 What barriers did you face?
 How did you overcome them?
The foremost obstacle I faced is there
was not proper transparency in
communication within team members
which impose huge difficulties like
ambiguities and confusions that wholly
hampers the work of research.
14

To tackle the issue of communication I
take an initiative in organising group
discussion that empower each personnel
to build a better relationship between
team members.
New Ideas and change of project direction After examine the performance, I
identified that the project requires I
more week in accomplishing the report
in an improved way.
What Have I learnt about myself this week?
 How did I feel when I had to deal with
tasks/problems?
 Did I find it useful to complete the tasks?
 How well have I performed? What did I
contribute?
 What can I improve on next week?
 How might this learning apply in the future?
I felt high degree of discontentment or
dissatisfaction from the presentation of
my team members.
Yes
According to me, I performed well and
also allocated the resources in a proper
manner that aid me to accomplished my
task in a amended way.
I took participation in team building
activities that empower me cope up with
the issue of communication barrier.
By conducting this project, I was able to
evolve my interpersonal and analytical
abilities which lead me to show better
performance on forthcoming research.
Tasks planned for next week
 Which tasks are priority? Have you set aside sufficient time for
completion?
To collect authentic and reliable data in
order to ameliorate the attribute of
project.
Yes
Project plan status to date (on, ahead, behind)
15

Supervisor comments to address
Signature of the Supervisor and date:
APPENDIX II
Template for Performance Review to be attached with the report by the learner:
11 What was the Project supposed to accomplish?
The project which is achieved is “To determine the strategies and initiatives that company
do in context of building a diverse and inclusive workforce. A case study on Next Plc.”11 Did the project succeed in its aims/ how do you know? Specifically, please
outline any evaluation and assessment undertaken.
Yes, the project is successes because it accomplish its aims in set time frame.11 What things do you think worked well and why? Evaluate all aspects of the
project (e.g initial inception, project activities and project outcomes) from
a range of perspectives.
In my perceptive, research and analytical skill assist me to carry through the
need or interest of my targeted respondents in amended way. The whole aspect
of this project is complete by me and also I was able to finished it in given time
and budget. Thus, I can ensure that this research will bring out desired outcome.11 What problems emerged during the project and how were they tackled?
Was there timely identification of issues and resolution during the project
process?
While operating the project, I faced disputes among team members. Therefore, I
organized a team building activities that enrich myself and group members to
put their best performance. The another issue which I face that there was a
shortage of time and cost while distinguishing the research problem and
resolution during project process.11 What did you learn from undertaking the project?
From this project, I improved my communication skill, interpersonal skill as well
as other quality that enrich the project standard.11 How would you rate your performance as a management consultant
leading the project?
9 out of 10
16

11 What strengths and weakness of your performance did you identify?
I reinforced analytical, research and interpersonal skill which is my
strength and I was not good in manage my team appropriately.11 How will this inform and support your continuous professional
development?
This project aid me to enhance analytical, communication and interpersonal skill
that render me enormous platform for future growth.
17